Post-assembly tension adjustment in elastomeric material applications

Abstract

An arrangement for enabling post-assembly tension adjustment in an elastomeric material application. The arrangement can have a frame structure and a panel of elastomeric material, such as elastomeric mesh, retained to span from a first side to a second side of the frame structure in tension. A tension adjustment assembly enables a post-assembly, selective deflection of the panel of elastomeric material and thus the tension in the panel of elastomeric material. The tension adjustment assembly can, for example, employ a selectively inflatable bladder, an extension and retraction arrangement with a biasing portion, a pivoting member, a laterally slidable member, a roller with a non-concentric pivot axis a deflection member with a tip portion disposed to an outer surface side of the panel of elastomeric material, or a deflection member slidable on an inclined surface in relation to the panel of elastomeric material.

1. An arrangement for enabling post-assembly tension adjustment in an elastomeric material application, the arrangement comprising:
 a frame structure with first and second opposed sides; 
 a panel of elastomeric material with opposed first and second edges, a body portion between the first and second edges, an inner surface side, and an outer surface side; 
 means for retaining the first edge of the panel of elastomeric material in relation to the first side of the frame structure and means for retaining the second edge of the panel of elastomeric material in relation to the second side of the frame structure thereby to cause the panel of elastomeric material to span from the first side to the second side of the frame structure in tension; and 
 a tension adjustment assembly operably associated with the frame structure and the panel of elastomeric material wherein the tension adjustment assembly comprises a means for selectively and adjustably pressing on the body portion of the panel of elastomeric material between the first and second edges of the elastomeric panel to induce a localized deflection of the panel of elastomeric material thereby to enable a selective post-assembly deflection and adjustment of tension in the panel of elastomeric material wherein the tension adjustment assembly comprises a slidable member coupled for lateral sliding relative to the frame structure, wherein the slidable member can be selectively slid to adjust a deflection of the panel of elastomeric material, and wherein the slidable member is disposed to the inner surface side of the panel of elastomeric material. 
 
   
   
     2. The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the frame structure is chosen from the group consisting of a seat back and a seat bottom. 
   
   
     3. The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the tension adjustment assembly further comprises an extension and retraction arrangement with a biasing portion for contacting the panel of elastomeric material and a means for selectively extending and retracting the biasing portion in relation to the panel of elastomeric material. 
   
   
     4. The arrangement of  claim 3  wherein the means for selectively extending and retracting the biasing portion comprises an axially extendible and retractable rod. 
   
   
     5. The arrangement of  claim 4  wherein the rod is threaded and further comprising a knob for enabling a rotation of the rod. 
   
   
     6. The arrangement of  claim 3  wherein the biasing portion is disposed to the inner surface side of the panel of elastomeric material and wherein the biasing portion is moveable in relation to the frame structure thereby to enable an adjustment of a location of the biasing portion and the deflection and adjustment of tension imparted thereby. 
   
   
     7. The arrangement of  claim 6  further comprising a sleeve interposed between the panel of elastomeric material and the frame structure, wherein the biasing portion is moveable within the sleeve. 
   
   
     8. The arrangement of  claim 6  further comprising a motor and a drive arrangement for selectively extending and retracting the biasing portion and for selectively adjusting the location of the biasing portion in relation to the frame structure. 
   
   
     9. The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the tension adjustment assembly further comprises a pivoting member pivotally coupled to the frame structure wherein the pivoting member can be selectively pivoted to adjust a deflection of the panel of elastomeric material. 
   
   
     10. The arrangement of  claim 9  further comprising an axially extendible and retractable rod operably associated with the pivoting member for adjusting a disposition of the pivoting member. 
   
   
     11. The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the panel of elastomeric material comprises a panel of elastomeric mesh. 
   
   
     12. An arrangement for enabling post-assembly tension adjustment in an elastomeric material application, the arrangement comprising:
 a frame structure with first and second opposed sides; 
 a panel of elastomeric material with opposed first and second edges, a body portion between the first and second edges, an inner surface side, and an outer surface side; 
 means for retaining the first edge of the panel of elastomeric material in relation to the first side of the frame structure and means for retaining the second edge of the panel of elastomeric material in relation to the second side of the frame structure thereby to cause the panel of elastomeric material to span from the first side to the second side of the frame structure in tension; and 
 a tension adjustment assembly operably associated with the frame structure and the panel of elastomeric material wherein the tension adjustment assembly comprises a means for selectively and adjustably pressing on the body portion of the panel of elastomeric material between the first and second edges of the elastomeric panel to induce a localized deflection of the panel of elastomeric material thereby to enable a selective post-assembly deflection and adjustment of tension in the panel of elastomeric material wherein the tension adjustment assembly comprises a roller with a non-concentric pivot axis whereby a deflection of the panel of elastomeric material can be adjusted by a selective rotation of the roller and wherein the roller is disposed to the inner surface side of the panel of elastomeric material. 
 
   
   
     13. The arrangement of  claim 12  wherein the tension adjustment assembly further comprises a deflection member with a tip portion disposed to the outer surface side of the panel of elastomeric material wherein the deflection member is extendible and retractable whereby the tip portion of the deflection member can selectively depress the panel of elastomeric material. 
   
   
     14. The arrangement of  claim 12  wherein the panel of elastomeric material comprises a panel of elastomeric mesh. 
   
   
     15. The arrangement of  claim 12  wherein the frame structure is chosen from the group consisting of a seat back and a seat bottom. 
   
   
     16. An arrangement for enabling post-assembly tension adjustment in an elastomeric material application, the arrangement comprising:
 a frame structure with first and second opposed sides; 
 a panel of elastomeric material with opposed first and second edges, a body portion between the first and second edges, an inner surface side, and an outer surface side; 
 means for retaining the first edge of the panel of elastomeric material in relation to the first side of the frame structure and means for retaining the second edge of the panel of elastomeric material in relation to the second side of the frame structure thereby to cause the panel of elastomeric material to span from the first side to the second side of the frame structure in tension; and 
 a tension adjustment assembly operably associated with the frame structure and the panel of elastomeric material wherein the tension adjustment assembly comprises a means for selectively and adjustably pressing on the body portion of the panel of elastomeric material between the first and second edges of the elastomeric panel to induce a localized deflection of the panel of elastomeric material thereby to enable a selective post-assembly deflection and adjustment of tension in the panel of elastomeric material wherein the tension adjustment assembly comprises a deflection member wherein the deflection member is slidable on an inclined surface in relation to the panel of elastomeric material whereby the deflection member can selectively deflect the panel of elastomeric material by a relative sliding of the deflection member. 
 
   
   
     17. The arrangement of  claim 16  wherein the tension adjustment assembly further comprises a bladder in combination with a means for selectively inflating and deflating the bladder. 
   
   
     18. The arrangement of  claim 17  wherein the bladder is disposed to the inner surface side of the panel of elastomeric material and the frame structure. 
   
   
     19. The arrangement of  claim 18  wherein there are plural bladders. 
   
   
     20. The arrangement of  claim 19  further comprising a means for independently and selectively inflating and deflating the plural bladders. 
   
   
     21. The arrangement of  claim 17  wherein the frame structure comprises a peripheral frame with an open inner portion. 
   
   
     22. The arrangement of  claim 16  wherein the panel of elastomeric material comprises a panel of elastomeric mesh. 
   
   
     23. The arrangement of  claim 16  wherein the frame structure is chosen from the group consisting of a seat back and a seat bottom.